Pony Swim

By Judy Katschke and Serena Geddes

The Dunlaps prepare to host a respected travel writer during the busiest time of the year in this sixth book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.

It’s the week of the annual pony swim and Willa and Ben are excited! Misty Inn is fully booked for the days leading up to the swim and the auction of the foals, which takes place the following day. As if the island’s biggest event isn’t exciting enough, the Dunlaps get news that a travel critic/writer will be staying at the inn during that week. The kids are determined to show the special guest just how nice Misty Inn can be, but will they be able to prove it when they don’t even know who the critic is?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aladdin
• Release date: Mar 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781481469906

Judy Katschke

Judy Katschke is the author of many books for young readers, from ready-to-reads and chapter books, to middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She lives in New York City.

Book preview

Chapter 1

TEN-YEAR-OLD WILLA DUNLAP BLINKED HER eyes, once, twice, three times. Was she really seeing what she thought she was seeing?

Wow, Ben, Willa said to her younger brother. I’ve never seen so many people on our beach!

Willa and Ben stood together on the shore gazing out at the ocean. Next to Willa, nibbling on a clump of marsh grass, was their gentle buckskin mare, Starbuck.

It may be filled with people now, Ben told his sister. But in just a few days it will be filled with—

Ponies! Willa cut in excitedly.

Willa and Ben traded a high five. It was the last week of July. To most it meant the middle of summer. But for those living on Chincoteague Island, it meant the world-famous pony swim.

Willa couldn’t wait to watch the wild ponies of Assateague Island swim across the channel to Chincoteague. Those who wanted an Assateague pony of their own could bid for one at the famous pony auction the next day.

Do you think she remembers? Willa asked as she patted the white star-shaped mark on Starbuck’s butterscotch forehead.

Remembers what? Ben asked.

Do you think Starbuck remembers swimming with the other ponies from Assateague to Chincoteague? Willa asked.

You know what they say, Ben said with a shrug. A horse never forgets.

I think that’s an elephant. Willa smiled.

She couldn’t wait for the pony swim in just two days. For the past ninety years, the world-famous event had taken place each summer. For Willa and Ben it would be their first.

Willa felt lucky to live on Chincoteague. A year ago the Dunlaps had moved from Chicago to the island where her mom grew up. Willa missed the city, but she loved the big old house her parents turned into an inn, her new friends, and most of all—having her own pony.

I almost forgot something, Willa said, clutching Starbuck’s rein to turn her around. We promised Mom and Dad we’d help them today. Misty Inn is about to have a ton of visitors for the pony swim.

Okay, Ben said as he slipped his foot into a stirrup, but this time it’s my turn to ride Starbuck.

Ben settled into the saddle. Willa took one last glance across the frothy white waters at Assateague Island. Then she, Ben, and Starbuck were on their way.

Willa walked her pony up the beach, then along the familiar trails leading to Misty Inn. Starbuck seemed to know the way too, and she picked up her pace closer to home.

When they reached Misty Inn, their frisky puppy, Amos, was waiting outside the barn door. Amos loved the barn and the horses more than anything.

I’ll fill the water bucket, Ben said as Willa led Starbuck to her stall. Willa caught the horse gazing into the next stall, where their guest pony, Buttercup, stayed. But this week Buttercup’s stall would be empty.

I know you miss Buttercup, Starbuck, Willa said. But she has an important job this week—to help Mr. Starling in the pony roundup.

Amos playfully jumped up at Ben as he carried a bucket of fresh water to Starbuck. You do remember the pony roundup, he asked. Don’t you, Starbuck?

Starbuck gave a little snort.

Willa was about to grab Starbuck’s currycomb when she heard her dad’s voice calling from outside. Willa, Ben, Grandma Edna’s here!

Willa and Ben exchanged surprised looks. It was the day of the pony vet check on Assateague Island. Grandma Edna was a vet, so what was she doing at Misty Inn?

Hi, Grandma Edna! Willa called as she and Ben raced over from the barn.

Hi, yourselves! Grandma Edna said. She stood next to Mom and Dad, her pickup truck nearby. A shopping bag hung from one hand as she petted a purring New Cat with her other.

Grandma Edna placed the bag on the ground to wrap her arms around Willa and Ben. She smelled like salt water and ponies, which told Willa one thing. . . .

You were at the vet check today, Grandma Edna, Willa guessed excitedly. Are the ponies ready for the big swim?

Resting up and ready as they’ll ever be, Grandma Edna said. But right now I come to Misty Inn with gifts and news.

Grandma is being mysterious, kids, Mom added with a grin.

What’s in the bag, Grandma Edna? Willa asked. Something for Starbuck?

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